A 10,000 Pound Plate Is Cheaper Than O2 Sensors

Filed Under BMV

Over the summer, I saw a minivan sporting a 10,000 pound plate. I wondered if the owner had taken the plate from another vehicle and had slapped it on his Dodge Caravan when I saw it.

It seems that buying the heavy-duty plate for about $80 is a way to save money when an Indiana driver can’t pass the Clean Air Check.

At $79.95, according to the Post-Tribune, it’s cheaper than getting the oxygen sensors fixed if the check engine light is active at the time of the emissions test.

Writes the Post-Tribune’s Jerry Davich:

Motorists who drive pickups, vans, SUVs and Jeeps, for example, can detour around strict emission mandates and the costly repairs often needed to comply to state law.

How? By opting to purchase a 10,000-pound weight class, or higher, license plate.

Why? Because emissions testing is required only for vehicles that weigh 9,000 pounds or less.

So, the cost to pollute our region’s air is only $79.75. A deal, huh?

Why pay full price for a regular license plate when you can save with the $80 special?

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Comments

8 Responses to “A 10,000 Pound Plate Is Cheaper Than O2 Sensors”

Daltonsbriefs on January 8th, 2008 6:13 am

OK Chris, I have to disagree with your shock and horror here. First I think the entire emissions testing process is a total waste of money. Second, the reformulated gas they make us buy in NW Indiana is s joke, there shouldn’t be different kinds of gas mandated by the government, it’s just running up the cost of fuel here.

Lastly, i guess the free marketeer in me feels that there should be some price, at which you’re allowed to drive your junker and not have to waste money getting it fixed.
Chris on January 8th, 2008 6:21 am

Hi Steve,

I’m not shocked — except for the money that I have to spend getting my O2 sensors fixed every time I have to renew my license plates.

I have three vehicles and two of them always generate a check engine light right about the time license renewal comes around. It always costs a few hundred bucks to get the O2 sensor fixed so that the car will pass the emissions test.

Next time, I might go ahead and get a 10,000 pound plate for my van, instead of spending a bunch of money for a fix that seems to only last a little while anyway. I just wish there was a 10,000 pound plate that could work for cars.
Chris on January 8th, 2008 6:24 am

Also, depending on the age of the vehicle, it could be cheaper to buy the $80 plate as opposed to the standard plate which has a fee that is dependent upon the value of your vehicle.
Buzzcut on January 8th, 2008 9:20 am

Chris, are you sure that the 10K plate allows you to avoid the personal property tax? That’s news to me.

I was surprised that so many people know about the plate loophole. I guess I’ll never get over how unethical people in Lake County are.
Bob G. on January 8th, 2008 10:48 am

Dalton:
I agree that all this “area-specific” fuel has got to GO…now! It’s the biggest waste at the pumps.
Chris:
AT last count, most newer vehicles have at least FOUR (count ‘em 4) O2 sensors (not countin every OTHER type of sensor they’re NOT telling us about), and they will NEVER, I repeat NEVER all fail at once, hence the constant “chk-eng” light problems. I swear, the next one that goes bad, I’m changing them ALL out…(and crossing my fingers)…lol!

B.G.
Chris on January 8th, 2008 3:38 pm

Hi Steve and B.G.,

I agree about the area-specific gas. We shouldn’t have all of the different blends — causing a smaller supply and higher price. The feds should set one standard for fuel and go with it since that would allow gasoline to be transported to where it is needed at any particular time.
Chris on January 8th, 2008 3:40 pm

Hi Buzz,

If you’re putting the plate on an older vehicle, then I assume that you’re paying more than the tax for the plate — but less than the cost of repairing the O2 or emissions system.

My 1999 Plymouth minivan’s plates cost about $50.00 or so. But, getting it fixed was around $250 or so. I can see why people go with the 10000 pound plates instead.
Chris on January 8th, 2008 3:45 pm

Hi BG,

Having four sensors explains why I my check engine light is on more than it’s off.

When it goes on, I always swing by Autozone to get the codes read for free to make sure it isn’t something major.